Bolt housing, assembly, and fitted panel

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a bolt housing, and in particular to a housing for a sliding bolt; to a pair of bolt housings, to an assembly thereof for the securement of a first housing relative to a second housing and to panels fitted with one of the said housings. Thus, there is provided a bolt housing which includes a bolt and bolt guide, the bolt having a bolt tip, the bolt being slidably mountable in the guide, the housing having a surface beyond which the bolt tip can project, the guide being at an acute angle to the said surface. There is also provided a bolt assembly comprising a bolt housing as defined herein, the said housing being a first housing, and the said bolt guide being a first bolt guide, the assembly including a second housing, the second housing having second bolt guide, the second bolt guide being alignable with first bolt guide, the bolt being movable into and out of the second bolt guide when the said first and second bolt guide are aligned. There is additionally provided a movable panel fitted with a first housing as defined herein, the panel being one of a sliding panel and a pivoting panel. The housings may be parts of a padlock.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a bolt housing, and in particular to a housingfor a sliding bolt; to a pair of bolt housings, to an assembly thereoffor the securement of a first housing relative to a second housing, andto a panel fitted with one of the said housings.

In this description, directional terms such as "upper", "lower" etc.refer to the embodiments as drawn i.e. "upwards" means "towards the topof the paper as drawn", and other directional terms should be similarlyunderstood. The embodiments are drawn as they would generally (thoughnot exclusively) be oriented in use.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is often necessary to secure a movable panel to a fixed panel, toprevent unauthorised opening movement of the movable panel and soprevent access through the aperture intended to be closed by the movablepanel.

Often the movable panel, such as a door, will be mounted in a fixedframe, so that a part of the frame defines the said fixed panel.However, it is also known, as in "double doors", for both panels to beindependently movable, and it is therefore often necessary to secure twomovable panels together.

The movable panel may be pivotable upon vertical hinges, such as isknown for conventional house doors and many windows; it may be aslidable panel such as a patio door slidable in horizontal runners,fixed one above and one below the door; or it may be one of theplurality of sliding laths comprising a vertically-acting roller shutterdoor such as may be used as a security fitting for a shop-front orvehicle cargo door.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Many devices are known for securing the different types of movable paneldescribed. Amongst the most common are those known as "pivotting hook"lock assemblies, and those known as "mortice" lock assemblies.

A pivotting hook lock assembly is usually used with a slidable panel.The assembly comprises a first housing with a bolt in the form of a hookmounted upon a pivot, and engageable behind a keeper e.g. a cross pinmounted in the second housing. The first housing is mounted to or withinthe movable panel, adjacent one of the panel edges. The path of the hookis part-circular, defined by the pivot and with the axis of the pivotbeing perpendicular to the direction of movement of the panel; the crosspin is a bar mounted in the second housing parallel to the axis of thehook pivot.

A mortice lock assembly comprises a first housing carrying a bolt, andin use being (usually) fixed to or into the movable panel adjacent onepanel edge, and a second housing providing a keeper mounted to a part ofthe fixed frame surrounding the panel, the keeper having an aperture ofa size closely to receive the bolt. The bolt (which may be of round orrectangular section) is substantially rigid and is slidable between aretracted condition and an extended condition (projecting from the firsthousing), the bolt in its extended condition being inserted within thebolt aperture of the second housing, and being retained in its insertedcondition as by locking means located in the first housing, whereby tosecure the first housing assembly relative to the (fixed) secondhousing, thus securing the movable panel.

A known mortice lock assembly has first and second housings which aresubstantially rectangular in side elevation, and having in the closedand locked condition respective side walls adjacent the facing edges ofthe panel and frame respectively, so that these housing side walls aresubstantially parallel. The facing wall of the first housing has asurface through which the bolt tip may project. The path of a morticebolt between its retracted and inserted conditions is linear, andperpendicular to the facing side walls and to the surface of the firsthousing. This mortice type of lock is typically used on hinged(pivotable) panels, the said facing edge of the panel being the edgeopposed to the hinged edge of the panel.

Hook securement devices are often expensive to manufacture and difficultto fit, and even then may not be as secure as a mortice lock assembly;their resistance against forcing open of the panel is limited by thestrength of the hook (curved bolt) and, since any attempt to force thepanel away from the frame is transferred directly from the bolt to thepivot, the strength (or weakness) of the pivot is also important.Desirably the pivot is at least as strong as the bolt, but this may bedifficult to achieve in practice since the pivot may need to be ofreduced size to enable the device to fit within the panel to be secured.

With a mortice-type lock, whilst the bolt can be of significant size, toprovide a substantial resistance against both lateral movement (in thevertical direction for a side-hung door), and sideways movement(pivotting upon the hinges) of the panel relative to the frame, the lockcannot resist movement of the panel away from the frame in the directionof movement of the bolt, and it is known for these locks to be "burst"by housebreakers and the like forcing the frame such that the framebecomes locally of increased size relative to the panel, until theinserted bolt can be released from the keeper. Also, if such a lock isused to secure a pair of double doors together, a sufficient forceapplied to the gap between the doors can also "burst" the inserted boltfrom the keeper.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

There is proposed a securement device for a panel or panels which avoidsor reduces the disadvantages of the above-described devices.

According to one feature of the invention we propose a bolt housingwhich includes a bolt and bolt guide means, the bolt having a bolt tip,the bolt being slidably mountable in the guide means, the housing havinga surface beyond which the bolt tip can project, the guide means beingat an acute angle to the said surface.

Preferably, supplementary holding means are mounted on the housing, thesupplementary holding means being at an acute angle to the said guidemeans, the supplementary holding means being one of a lip member and atleast one projecting member.

According to another feature of the invention we propose a housingmounting guide means for a slidable bolt and supplementary holdingmeans, the guide means being at an acute angle relative to the holdingmeans. When assembled to a panel, the bolt will be alignable with secondguide means in a second bolt housing, whilst the supplementary holdingmeans will cooperate with holding surfaces of the second housing;preferably the holding surfaces of the second housing are externalsurfaces so that the supplementary holding means embraces said surfaces,but may be internal surfaces e.g. slots in the second housing walls.

According to another feature of the invention we propose a housing forreceiving a slidable bolt, which includes retaining means for theinserted bolt tip. Usefully the retaining means is slidably guided at anacute angle to the bolt longitudinal axis.

There is also proposed a bolt assembly comprising (a) a bolt housing asherein defined, the said bolt housing being a first bolt housing and thesaid guide means being a first bolt guide means, and (b) a second bolthousing, the second bolt housing having second bolt guide means, thesecond bolt guide means being alignable with the first bolt guide means,the bolt being movable into and out of the second bolt guide means whenthe said first and second bolt guide means are aligned. Thus, theassembly has a closed condition in which the said guide means are inalignment, the bolt being slidable between a retracted condition and aninserted condition, the bolt in its inserted condition being receivedwithin the second bolt guide means. Usefully, key controlled releasemeans are located in one of the said first and second housings, the bolthaving a securement surface engageable with a part of the key controlledrelease means.

Desirably, supplementary holding means are carried by one of the saidfirst and second housings and are cooperable with the other of the saidhousings in the closed condition of the assembly, the supplementaryholding means when cooperating with the said other of the said housingsresisting relative lateral movement of the housings.

Preferably the lock controlled release means is located in the secondhousing, and includes a spring-biassed plunger having a catch surfaceengageable with the securement surface of the bolt, the plunger alsohaving an abutment, the abutment being contactable by a part of thelock.

Usefully the supplementary holding means is rigid, and fixed to thefirst housing. It may be U-shaped and encompass part of the secondhousing in the closed condition of the assembly, or it may alternativelycomprise a U-shaped projection or at least one stud, locatable in one ormore corresponding recess(es) in the second housing. Alternatively, thesupplementary holding means may be movable, projecting from the firsthousing only when the bolt is in its inserted condition.

Certain forms of the supplementary holding means will permit a boltassembly according to the invention to be used for securing eitherpivotable panels or slidable panels.

Conveniently the bolt carries a handle by which it may be grasped andmanually moved to its retracted condition. However, the bolt may bespring biassed towards its retracted condition, and so the handle in thebolt inserted condition may not be needed nor accessible for manualwithdrawal.

There is also disclosed a movable panel fitted with one of the saidfirst and second housings.

Usefully, the angle between the bolt guide means and the said surface,or between the bolt guide means and the supplementary holding means, isbetween 30° and 60°; desirably the angle is between 40° and 50°;preferably the angle is 45°.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be further described, by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear view of the first and second housings of a boltassembly according to the invention, the bolt being in its retractedcondition, the arrangement being "left-handed";

FIG. 2 is a front, perspective, view of bolt assembly similar to FIG. 1in the closed and locked condition, the arrangement being"right-handed";

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a second embodiment of first housing, with thebolt in its extended condition;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a third embodiment of first housing;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of a fourth embodiment of first housing;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a fifth embodiment of first housing;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a second housing used with the first housing ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of a sixth embodiment of first housing;

FIG. 9 is a view of a set of double doors, with the first and secondhousings of a bolt assembly fitted to the respective doors;

FIG. 10 is an end view of a seventh embodiment of first and secondhousings;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of an eighth embodiment of first and secondhousings;

FIG. 12 is a rear view of a ninth embodiment of first and secondhousings, with the back cover(s) or wall(s) removed;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the first housing of FIG. 12, fitted to apanel;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the second housing of FIG. 12, fitted to apanel;

FIG. 15 is a rear sectional view of an assembly of a tenth embodiment offirst and second housings and a removable bolt;

FIG. 16 is a partial sectional view along the line XVI--XVI of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the removable bolt of the assembly of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a rear sectional view of an eleventh embodiment of first andsecond housings;

FIG. 19 is a rear view of the assembly of the first and second housingsof FIG. 18 with its bolt;

FIG. 20 is a view of a twelth embodiment of first and second housings;

FIG. 21 is a view of the second housing of FIG. 19, along the lineXXI--XXI;

FIG. 22 is a view of a thirteenth embodiment of first and secondhousings, the housings being coupled together;

FIG. 23 is a front view of a fourteenth embodiment of first and secondhousings; and

FIG. 24 is a front view of a fifteenth embodiment of first housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The bolt assembly 10 of FIG. 1 comprises a first housing 12 and a secondhousing 14. First housing 12 is to be fitted to a movable panel, whilstsecond housing 14 may be secured to a second movable panel or to a fixedframe part for the first panel.

First housing 12 carries guides 16,18, which together with front wall 24of the first housing define a rearwardly-open bolt carrying channel orfirst bolt guide means 19, closable by a rear wall (not shown) or by thepanel to which the housing is secured in use. A bolt 20 of generallyrectangular cross-section is positioned within channel 19, and has atits upper end as viewed a handle 22 by which the bolt may be slidablymoved relative to the channel 19. The housing 12 has a surface 29through which the bolt 20 may project.

As drawn in FIG. 1, the bolt 20 is in its "retracted" condition i.e. itis in its condition allowing the first and second housings to be broughttogether.

Secured to the front wall 24 are side walls 26,28 and end walls 30,32.In this embodiment, part of the end wall 30 and part of the side wall 28are removed to allow the handle 22 to be brought into close contact withthe first housing 12 as the bolt is moved into its "extended" (and"inserted") condition projecting (to the left as viewed) out of thefirst housing; if the first and second housings are in the closedcondition i.e. they are suitably aligned, the extended and insertedconditions of the bolt will correspond. In this embodiment the handle isshaped so that in the bolt extended or inserted condition no part of thehandle 22 stands proud of the housing front wall 24; an outwardlyprojecting finger grip 23 is provided to assist with bolt withdrawalmovement, though this is not essential.

It will be understood that different forms of handle 22 may be provided,or front wall 24 can be cut away to provide easier access to handle 22when the bolt is in the inserted condition. Furthermore, a return springmay be provided to effect partial movement of the bolt 20 from itsinserted condition towards its retracted condition such that the handle22 may only be grasped after the bolt has been partially moved by thespring.

Side wall 26 is apertured at a position 27 aligned with the lowerinsertion end of bolt 20. Guides 16,18 defining bolt carrying channel 19are at an acute angle to side wall 26, and to surface 29.

The second housing 14 has a rearwardly-open bolt receiving channel orsecond bolt guide means 34 defined by guides 36,38, and front housingwall 40. The housing can be closed by a rear cover (not shown), or bythe panel to which the second housing in use is secured, whereby also toprovide a fourth side to channel 34 and thus to guides 36,38 definingthe channel 34.

Secured to the front wall 40 of the second housing 14 are side walls42,44 and end walls 46,48. Also secured to front wall 40 is a lockhaving a key-operated rotatable lock barrel 62, and a chamber 54. Thechamber 54 locates part of a plunger 50 and a spring 52, the spring 52biassing the plunger 50 away from end wall 46. The plunger 50 and spring52 comprise a part of the bolt release means. Plunger 50 is at an acuteangle to channel 34, and thus to the longitudinal axis of bolt 20 wheninserted i.e. in this embodiment plunger 50 is disposed substantiallyparallel to side wall 26 of the first housing, typically both beingvertical in the position of use.

Specifically, in use, the first and second housings are mounted onpanels so that when the panels are brought together to their "closed"condition, the bolt carrying channel 19 and the bolt receiving channel34 are in alignment, whereupon bolt 20 may be inserted into the boltreceiving channel 34.

Plunger 50 is guided and supported at one of its opposed ends in chamber54, whilst its other opposed end is guided and supported in an aperture37 in guide 36; catch surface 56 of plunger 50 projects into the boltreceiving channel 34. Abutment 66 of plunger 50 engages finger 64 of thelock to define the axial position of the plunger 50.

Preferably the leading end of the bolt 20 is chamfered so that duringinsertion movement into second housing 14 the plunger 50 is pushedupwardly against the action of the spring 52; with further insertionmovement ledge 60 of bolt 20 aligns with the catch surface 56, which isurged by spring 52 behind ledge 60 so that the assembly is thus urgedinto the "locked" condition, requiring operation of the lock-controlledrelease means as described below to effect retraction of the bolt 20.

In an alternative embodiment with provision for "temporary" securement,as may be required if a panel is to be held closed without needing to belocked, a spring-biassed ball of known type is mounted in guide 36 toproject into channel 34 and is engageable with ledge 60, the detentproviding a "partially inserted" holding condition of bolt 20. In thispartially inserted condition, the housings are held together, but theirsecurement may be released simply by grasping the handle 22 andretracting the bolt i.e. the key is not required to effect retraction ofthe bolt. However, when the assembly is required to be locked, the boltcan be pushed past the ball until the catch surface 56 engages the ledge60. An alternative means for temporary securement is shown in FIG. 4, asdescribed below.

In a further alternative embodiment, catch surface 56 does not normallyproject into bolt receiving channel 34. However, when bolt 20 has beenfully inserted into second housing 14, the lock barrel 62 can bekey-operated to turn finger 64 anti-clockwise as viewed, to permitspring 52 to bias catch surface 56 of plunger 50 behind ledge 60. Inanother alternative embodiment, and for use when the assembly can bemounted with the plunger 50 vertical, and suitably greased orlubricated, spring 52 is omitted, the plunger 50 dropping into thesecurement condition under its own weight. In both these alternativeembodiments, key operation is also required to turn lock barrel 62clockwise, to lift finger 66 and thus plunger 50, to release bolt 20ready for withdrawal from second housing 14.

In yet another embodiment the bolt 20 is circular in cross section, withan annular groove providing the locking ledge; this embodiment may bepreferred for heavy use situations, to limit possible impact damage toand/or excessive wear of the ledge.

When fitted to respective panels there will be a gap between first andsecond housings 12,14, which will normally be larger than the gap 75between adjacent closed panels 70,72 (FIG. 9) to which the housings arefitted. To cover this housings gap, one housing mounts a U-shaped lip74, carried upon front wall 24 and end walls 30,32. In this embodimentthe lip 74 is on first housing 12, which in use is closed against secondhousing 14. One advantage provided by lip 74 is that in the lockedcondition of the assembly the lip 74 obscures that part of the bolt 20which would otherwise be visible through the housings gap and whichcould therefore be attacked i.e. the lip 74 can inhibit unauthorisedaccess as with a hacksaw to that part of the bolt.

As a further feature of the invention the lip 74 also acts as asupplementary holding means, inhibiting relative lateral (in the planeof the paper, towards or away from the top of the sheet as drawn)movement between the first and second housings.

If bolt 20 cannot be cut or severed, an alternative means for attemptedunauthorised opening of one or both panels could be to position a toolin gap 75 whereby to lever one panel against the other until the door"bursts", with movement parallel to (and then possibly out) of the paperas viewed for FIG. 2, until the bolt escapes from the second housing.However, because the bolt 20 enters the second housing at an acute angleto the adjacent side walls 26,42 of the first and second housingsrespectively, any attempt to force the locked housings apart willfurthermore tend to force the first housing upwardly relative to thesecond housing, with the housings "riding" upon bolt 20, which actionwill be resisted by the supplementary holding means provided by theportion 76 of lip 74. Thus, the acutely-angled bolt 20 and the portion76 of lip 74 provide a wedging action resisting forcing open or burstingof the locked assembly.

For a side-hinged panel which is mounted in a fixed frame, for example apivotally-mounted door, it might be possible to mount one of the priorart mortice lock assemblies so that the path of the bolt into and out ofa frame-mounted keeper is at an acute angle to the facing edges of thepanel (when in the closed condition) and frame. In such a case, anattempt to burst the bolt from its keeper by forcing those facing edgesapart could result in relative lateral movement between the panel andthe frame. The panel may, however, be constrained against such lateralmovement by the overlying top edge of the frame (above it) or by thefloor or ground (below it), depending upon the orientation of the bolt.However, such constraint against lateral movement will only becomeeffective when the lateral movement exceeds the gap between the top ofthe panel and the corresponding frame part, or the bottom of the paneland the floor, and the gap may allow sufficient lateral movement for theangled bolt to be burst from the keeper. In the embodiments shown, thecooperative relationship between the supplementary holding means and thesliding bolt can be pre-determined and controlled; the degree ofrelative lateral movement permitted between the fitted housings, andthus between the panel and frame to which they are fitted, is determinedby the inbuilt sliding clearance between the bolt and the bolt-carryingand bolt-receiving channels and/or between the supplementary holdingmeans and the surface(s) with which it engages or they engage.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, only the first housing 112 is shown, thoughthe form of the second housing will be understood by reference toFIG. 1. The first housing 112 is shown rotated through 90° relative tothe housing 12 of FIG. 1, i.e. it is shown in its position of use iffitted for example to the lowest lath of a vertically acting rollershutter, typically for a cargo vehicle or shop-front.

First housing 112 has secured to its side wall 126 a U-shaped shapedprojection 174 which cooperates with a corresponding recess in the sidewall of the second housing to prevent relative lateral (leftwards andrightwards in this embodiment) movement of the engaged housings. Thus inthis embodiment the projection 174 provides the supplementary holdingmeans. Also shown in FIG. 3 is a second catch 92, which is mounted inguide 118 and is spring biassed towards the bolt carrying channel. Thesecond catch 92 will engage the ledge 60 when the bolt 20 is in itsretracted condition, preventing removal of the bolt from the firsthousing.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the supplementary holding means is providedby a pair of studs 274 projecting from side wall 226. As the firsthousing 212 is brought towards the second housing (not shown), the studsenter correspondingly shaped holes in the second housing, so preventingthe relative lateral movement between the housings.

FIG. 4 shows the key-controlled release means mounted in the firsthousing 212. One end of the plunger 250 is passed through guide 216 andthe catch surface 256 projects into the bolt-carrying channel 219. Thebolt 220 has a securement surface 260 which is engageable with the catchsurface 256 in the extended and inserted conditions of the bolt. Thecatch surface 256 may be moved out of contact with the securementsurface by rotation of the lock barrel 62 as described in relation toFIG. 1.

Such an embodiment with the key controlled release means mounted in thefirst housing is desirable for applications such as the roller shutterdoor for a shop-front or the like, where the second housing is fixedinto the ground, or in other circumstances where the second housing isinaccessible. However, where both the first and second housings areaccessible, it is preferred that the key controlled release means bemounted in the second housing.

It will be understood in this figure that in the locked condition, thehandle 222 is not in tight mating engagement with the first housing 212,but permits sufficient movement of the bolt 220 (to the bottom left ofthe paper as drawn), to allow the securement surface 260 to become freeof the (downwardly angled) catch surface 256. However, in an alternativeembodiment the path of movement of the plunger is perpendicular to thepath of movement of the bolt, so that in the locked condition the handlemay be in tight mating engagement with the first housing.

FIG. 4 also shows a means of temporary securement of the assembly in theclosed, but not locked, condition. The bolt 220, which is of rectangularsection, has a shallow indentation 261 in its face opposed to thesecurement surface 260. The bolt 220 is removable from the channel 219,so that it may be rotated through 180° about its longitudinal axis, andreintroduced into the channel 219, so that in its extended and insertedconditions the catch surface 256 engages the indentation 261.

The indentation 261 has smoothly sloping sides, to allow the catchsurface 256 to ride thereover. The shape and depth of the indentation261 is determined to permit the plunger 250 to remain in engagement withthe indentation, and so retain the bolt, against vibration-induced axialmovement, but yet to permit manual retraction of the bolt when desired;thus if a sufficient axial force is applied to the bolt 220, the plungerrides up and out of the indentation 261, allowing retraction of thebolt. Thus, with the bolt 220 in this orientation, the assembly may beclosed and temporarily secured, without need of the key to release thebolt.

When it is desired that the assembly be locked, the bolt 220 may beremoved from channel 219, and reintroduced in the orientation as drawn.

In an alternative embodiment, the bolt is of circular cross-section, sothat it does not need to be removed from the channel to effect thenecessary axial rotation; in this embodiment, the acircular handleensures that the bolt must be in one of its two desired orientationsrelative to the housing when in the extended or inserted condition.Furthermore, the handle ensures that axial rotation of the bolt cannotbe effected when the bolt is in its extended or inserted condition.

The handle 222 could carry an indication of its orientation e.g."UNLOCKED" and "LOCKED" printed or stamped on opposite faces, one orother of the faces being visible to the user, so that in the insertedcondition of the bolt, the user can tell if the assembly is locked oronly temporarily secured. Alternatively, the handle could be offset fromthe longitudinal axis of the bolt, so that in the temporary securementorientation, the handle protrudes from the housing in the insertedcondition.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the first housing 312 carries a frame 80 ofinverted U-shape. The frame has two arms 82 which can pass throughapertures 84 in side wall 326. The bolt 320 carries a peg 86 which isengageable in slot 88 of the frame. As the bolt 320 is moved towards itsinserted condition, the peg 86 enters the slot 88, and moves the framedownwardly as viewed, causing the arms 82 to project from the firsthousing 312, and into corresponding recesses in the second housing (notshown).

The slot 88 also ensures that the arms 82 are withdrawn into the firsthousing as the bolt is moved from its inserted condition. Additionally,however, frame 80 is biassed inwardly of the first housing by a spring90, which also acts to partially move the bolt 320 away from itsinserted condition. It will be understood that instead of the peg 86entering a slot in the frame, it may instead engage the frame upper (asviewed in FIG. 5) surface.

In alternative embodiments, the peg is retained in a closed slot (i.e.not open-ended as is slot 88); whether the peg is retained in anopen-ended slot or not depends on the amount of movement required by thearms in relation to the movement of the bolt, and so can be determinedby the user.

The embodiments of housings shown in FIGS. 6, 7 are similar to those ofFIG. 1, except that the bolt (not shown) is circular, and is slidable ina circular bolt carrying channel 419, and bolt receiving channel 434;also, the lip 474 providing the supplementary holding means includes twoadditional extensions 94 projecting (out of the paper as viewed) fromside wall 426, the extensions being locatable in recesses 96 in the sidewall 442 of the second housing 414. The supplementary holding means 474of this embodiment provides additional security over that of FIG. 1,since in, the locked condition of the assembly the extensions 94 areinaccessible, whereas a determined thief may have the tools necessary toremove (as by grinding off) the exposed portion of lip 474.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the lock barrel 562 has a plurality ofteeth 564 engageable with a rack 98 in the bolt 520. Rotation of thebarrel 562 following the insertion of the correct key (not shown) willcause the bolt 520 to be moved between its retracted condition andinserted condition. In this embodiment, the bolt 520 is of rectangularsection, though in other embodiments it is circular, with the "rack"being provided by a series of annular grooves, or else by a singlehelically-cut groove. If the groove is helically-cut, it can also bearranged that the bolt rotates about its longitudinal axis as it movesbetween its retracted and inserted conditions, the bolt mating with afixed and corresponding helical thread in the second housing.

As seen in FIG. 9, in use the first housing 12 is secured to a movablepanel, which in this embodiment is one door 70 of a pair of doubledoors. Door 70 is side-pivotted on hinges 71. The second housing 14 issecured to a separate movable panel, which in this embodiment is door72, side-pivotted on hinges 73. In another embodiment, the secondhousing is secured to the fixed vertical frame part of a door frame. Inyet another alternative embodiment, the movable panel is verticallyacting, such as the roller shutter door of a shop-front, the firsthousing being secured to the lowermost (in use) lath of the shutter, thesecond housing being secured in the ground.

Whilst the supplementary holding means 174,274 of the FIG. 3 and FIG. 4embodiments respectively are rigid and project from the first housingand into a part of the second housing in use, if they are fitted topivotable panels such as those of FIG. 9, they may foul the secondhousing as the panels are pivotted together i.e. as the assembly isclosed; thus these embodiments are most suitable for the securement ofslidable panels. However, the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, and theembodiment of FIG. 8, wherein the supplementary holding means isexternal to the housings in the closed condition, and the embodiment ofFIG. 5, wherein the supplementary holding means engages the secondhousing only in the extended condition of the bolt, would be suitablefor both slidable and pivotable panels. Also, whilst the embodiment ofFIGS. 6, 7 has a fixed supplementary holding means engageable withrecesses in the second housing, the recesses are open towards theopening direction of the assembly; thus, this embodiment could also beused for both slidable and pivotable panels.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the lip 674 of the first housing 612 has aflange 675, which cooperates with an upstand 677 of the second housing614. The flange and lip provide an additional resistance to burstingapart of the housings, and thus of the panels to which they may besecured, i.e. an attempt to force apart the first and second housings isinhibited i.e. to the right and left as viewed in FIG. 10 respectively,whether or not the bolt is in its inserted condition securing the twohousings together. In another embodiment, the lip 674 may be extended tothe left as viewed, and a flange may be provided to fully encompass thesecond housing 614 i.e. the flange may cover the side wall 644. Clearly,these embodiments are not suitable for use on slidable panels.

In the embodiment of FIG. 11, for use on a slidable panel or panels, thebolt 720 is biassed towards its extended condition by a spring 763. Thetravel of the bolt 720 is limited by a pin 765 located in a slot 767 inthe guide 716. The bolt 720 has a lead-in 721, and the second housing714 has a lead-in 739 formed in the guide 738 and side wall 742.

When the bolt 720 is in its fully extended condition (as shown), thefirst housing 712 and second housing 714 may be slid together (in theplane of the paper of FIG. 11), causing the bolt 720 to ride up thelead-in 739, compressing the spring 763. As the bolt lead-in 721 clearsthe second housing lead-in 739, the spring 763 causes the bolt to enterthe bolt-receiving channel 734, whereupon the housings are securedagainst separation, as previously explained.

When it is desired to separate the first and second housings, the lockbarrel 62 is rotated clockwise (in this embodiment by its key), causingthe finger 764 first to engage bolt abutment 766 and then to urge thebolt out of the bolt-receiving channel 734 against the action of thespring 763. Thus, this embodiment automatically acts when the housingsare brought together, and requires operation of the key controlled meansto allow subsequent separation of the housings.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 12-14 adapted for use with a pivotable panel870, such as the front door of a domestic dwelling, the bolt 820 issimilarly biassed towards its extended condition by a spring 863. Inthis embodiment, the bolt 820 has a partially extended condition, and afully extended condition. As drawn, the bolt is in the partiallyextended condition, into which it is biassed by the spring 863. It willbe understood that the embodiment shown is adapted for use on a verticalpanel, and will be fitted with the bolt projecting from the firsthousing 812 in an upward direction. Thus, the spring 863 is opposed bygravity acting upon the bolt 820. The length and strength of the spring863 is chosen to permit the bolt 820 to adopt a rest condition with thebolt tip 823 partially extending from the side wall 826. In thiscondition, the housings may be brought together, so that the boltlead-in 821 rides over the lead-ins 841,843 on the second housing 814,compressing the spring 863, until the bolt tip 823 enters the boltreceiving channel 834.

In this embodiment, the lip 874 is of a size fully to cover the secondhousing 814 when the first and second housings are brought together, foradded security and improved aesthetic appeal, though in otherembodiments the lip 874 may be smaller. In yet other embodiments, thelip 874 may have a flange as in the FIG. 10 embodiment; the flange maycover the side wall 844 of the second housing.

Thus, the bolt of first housing 812 has a partially extended andinserted condition, which with the respective second housing providesthe security of the above mentioned assemblies. However, the bolt 820also has a fully inserted condition providing a further degree ofsecurity. Thus, full rotation of the lock barrel 862 in ananti-clockwise direction as viewed will cause the finger 864 to engagethe left-hand side (as drawn) of the abutment 866 and then furtherextend the bolt 820 from the first housing 812, and so further insertthe bolt 820 into the bolt-receiving channel 834 of the second housing814. Rotation of the lock barrel 862 in the opposite (clockwise)direction will release the bolt 820 from the bolt-receiving channel aspreviously explained.

In this embodiment, the bolt 820 becomes free of the spring 863 when thebolt is in the fully extended condition. In an alternative embodiment,the spring can be connected to both the first housing and the bolt sothat it acts in both the compression and extension directions to biasthe bolt towards its rest (partially extended) condition; in such anembodiment, gravity is not required to combine with the spring to movethe bolt to the rest condition, so that the bolt can alternatively bedownwardly projecting.

In certain embodiments the first and second housings are secured torespective panels 870,872 by screws in known fashion; in someembodiments, the screws are captive to the respective housing.Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, they are secured by way ofrespective mounting plates 875,877.

Mounting plate 875 carries three mounting bolts 879 (only two of whichare shown in FIG. 13, in dotted outline, for clarity), and each of whichis threaded. The mounting plate 875 is located on the "outside" face ofthe panel, e.g. a door, with the mounting bolts 879 passing throughholes pre-drilled through the panel.

The first housing 812 has a rear wall 825 with apertures to receive themounting bolts 879; nuts 881 are screwed onto the mounting bolts tosecure the housing to the panel. In this embodiment, a double-ended lockbarrel 862, e.g. of Euro-profile, is located in an aperture in thepanel, such that a key may be inserted into the barrel from either endi.e. from either side of the panel.

To obscure the nuts 881 and mounting bolts 879 from view, the front wall824, end walls 830,832, and connected side wall (not seen), are ofunitary construction, and are separable from the housing 812, beingsecured thereto only after the nuts 881 have been fully tightened uponthe respective mounting bolts 879. In an alternative embodiment, thefront wall is apertured to allow access to the bolts 879, which accessmay be concealed and/or closed off by a plate fitted into the firsthousing.

The second housing 814 is fitted to panel 872 in similar fashion (FIG.14).

In the embodiment of FIGS. 15-17, the housings are of substantiallysolid construction. The lock barrel 962 is secured to the end of thebolt 920, and the bolt and lock barrel are removable from the firsthousing 912. The bolt 920 is rotatable relative to the lock barrel 962,which lock barrel is slidably, but non-rotatably, located in thebolt-carrying channel 919 of the first housing 912.

When it is desired to secure the housings together, the housings arefirst brought into the "closed" condition, with the bolt-carryingchannel 919 of the first housing in alignment with the bolt-receivingchannel 934 of the second housing. The bolt 920 and lock barrel 962 arethen introduced into the channels 919,934.

The bolt carries an outwardly projecting abutment 925, which can passalong a groove 935, which provides an extension of the channels 919,934.The lock barrel 962 has a projection 969, which also fits into groove935, which projection and groove prevent the rotation of the lock barrel962 in the bolt-carrying channel 919.

Part of the bolt-receiving channel 934 is undercut to provide a step 937(FIG. 16), behind which the projection 925 can locate. Thus, when thebolt is fully inserted into the bolt receiving channel 934, the key 961may be rotated in the lock barrel 962, rotating the bolt 920 so as tolocate the projection 925 behind the step 937. The projection 925 andstep 937 will thus prevent removal of the bolt 920, and so prevent theseparation of the housings 912,914.

This embodiment may be useful for example for securing the rear cargodoors of a delivery vehicle, which vehicles may have several differentdrivers. A particular problem which this embodiment seeks to overcome isthe traditional use of a single key shared between a number ofauthorised deliverymen. Regrettably it is known for one dishonest driverto arrange for a copy of the key to the rear doors be made, whichcopy-key may then be used to unlock the doors to facilitate theft of thevehicle's cargo, at a time when the dishonest driver is absentelsewhere. When the theft occurs, the owners find it difficult to knowwhich driver of several is responsible.

However, with this embodiment of the invention, each driver can be givena personal lock barrel and bolt, with that driver using his personalisedbolt only when he is responsible for or driving the vehicle. Whilst thedishonest driver can obtain a copy of his own key, if he does so andfacilitates its dishonest use his responsibility for any cargo theft iseasier to determine.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 18-22, the first and second housings formparts of a padlock, and thus are designed so as not to requiresecurement to respective panels.

In the embodiment of FIG. 18, the first housing 1012 includes anextended lip 1074 and portions of the supplementary holding means 1076,to encompass the second housing 1014 when the housings are broughttogether. The first housing also has studs 1083, which are circular incross-section and are fittable into holes 1085 in the second housing.The studs 1083 and their respective holes 1085 provide additionalsupplementary holding means (resisting lateral relative movement of thehousings), and also provide guidance when bringing the housingstogether. In this embodiment there are four studs, only two of which areseen in the drawing, and the respective stud holes surround thebolt-receiving channel 1034.

Secured to the second housing 1014 is a tube 1087 which surrounds a stud1089 carried by the first housing 1012.

When the housings are brought together (FIG. 19), the studs 1083 fitinto their respective holes 1085 and the stud 1089 fits into the tube1087. The tube 1087 and stud 1089 provide the shackle of the padlock,which may for example pass through a staple fitted to a hasp or othermember to be secured, in known fashion. In another embodiment, theshackle is a solid rod, secured to either of the first or secondhousings, and fittable into a hole in the other of the said housings. Inyet another embodiment, the shackle is not of circular cross-section.

As can be seen from FIG. 19, when the housings are brought together theshackle is visible from only one side; this one side will be obscured bythe staple or member being secured. Thus, there is only limited accessfor any person intent on cutting or sawing the shackle.

In an alternative embodiment (see for example the embodiment of FIG.20), one or both of the lip 1074 and the portion of the supplementaryholding means 1076 can be removed locally whereby to increase thefreedom of access adjacent the shackle (e.g. for ease of use).

To secure the first and second housings together, the bolt 1020 isinserted through the bolt-carrying channel 1019 and into the boltreceiving-channel 1034, being retained therein by a catch 1025 behindstep 1037. Catch 1025 is tapered and is spring biassed towards itsprojecting condition (as shown), so that the bolt 1020 can be insertedinto the bolt-carrying channel 1019 without operation of the key. Onceprojecting behind the step 1037, however, the catch 1025 may only beretracted by operation of the key 1061.

In the embodiment shown, the bolt 1020 is circular, and so is rotatablein the bolt-carrying and bolt-receiving channels 1019 and 1034respectively. In order to facilitate correct alignment of the catch 1025with the step 1037, it will be understood that in a first alternativeembodiment the bolt carries a lug which is slidable in a keyway of thebolt-carrying channel; in a second alternative embodiment the boltitself is acircular.

It will be understood that in the embodiment shown, the two housings1012,1014, and the bolt 1020, are separable from each other i.e. thepadlock comprises three separate pieces. In an alternative embodiment,however, they are permanently or semi-permanently connected together.For example, the second housing may be slidable relative to the firsthousing, but with an abutment provided to limit the sliding separationsufficient only to permit the shackle to be placed around a staple orother member. The bolt can have a lip preventing its removal from thebolt-carrying channel.

Another embodiment of padlock is shown in FIGS. 20, 21. Whereas in theembodiment of FIGS. 18 and 19 the bolt 1020 cooperating with thebolt-carrying channel and the bolt-receiving channel provides thesecurity against the forced separation of the housings, in theembodiment of FIGS. 20 and 21 the studs 1183a,b additionally contributeto this security. In this embodiment, the studs 1183a,b are placedsufficiently close to the bolt-carrying channel 1119 and bolt-receivingchannel 1134 that the bolt, in its inserted condition, also passespartially through the body of the studs. Thus, the cut-away portions1191 and 1193 of the studs partially embrace the bolt in its insertedcondition, acting with the bolt 1120 to resist separation of thehousings.

In this embodiment also, the lip 1174 is of reduced size, to alloweasier access to the shackle 1189; however, it will be understood thatanother embodiment will have an encompassing lip equivalent to that ofthe FIG. 18 embodiment.

Also in the FIG. 20 embodiment, the step 1137 for retaining the bolt islocated in the first housing 1112.

In another embodiment only one stud, with its respective cut-awayportion, is provided. In yet another embodiment more than two studs,some or all of which have a respective cut-away portion, is provided.

In the embodiment of FIG. 22, the first and second housings 1212,1214are coupled together by a hinge 1095. In this embodiment, the stud(s)1283, the respective holes 1285, and the shackle 1289, are curved; thecurved holes being suitably formed by welding a section of curved tubeinto the first housing 1212. The hinge is located slightly inwardly ofthe end walls 1232,1248 of the housings, to increase the difficulty ofobtaining access to the hinge, as may be desired by an intending thief.In another embodiment of the invention a protective cover piece may beprovided to obscure the hinge.

In another embodiment, the shackle is closer to the hinge than the boltcarrying and bolt receiving channels.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 20, 21 and FIG. 22, the studs are mounted onthe second housing and the holes are located in the first housing; inalternative embodiments the positioning of the studs and holes arereversed. Likewise, in a similar but alternative embodiment to that ofFIGS. 18, 19, the studs are mounted on the second housing and the holeslocated in the first housing.

In the embodiment of FIG. 23, the first housing 1312 carries two bolts1320a,1320b, which are guided at an angle to each other. The bolts1320a,b are receivable in respective bolt carrying channels 1334a,1334bof the second housing 1314. Slidably mounted to the first housing 1312is a slide plate 1381, which has a slot 1387. Each bolt 1320a,b, carriesa respective peg 1386a,1386b; the pegs 1386a,b are located within theslot 1387, so that movement of the plate to the right and left as drawneffects simultaneous movement of the bolts 1320a,b into and out of thefirst housing 1312 respectively.

The slide plate 1381 carries a handle 1322, which is a square blockprojecting from the plate outwardly of the paper. In use, the handlewill project through a slot in a front wall or face plate (not shown),closing the housing 1312.

The slide plate 1381 is guided within the first housing 1312 by a pairof projections 1383a,1383b, which slide against the end walls 1330 and1332 of the housing respectively. The slide plate 1381 is slidablebetween a "bolt retracted" condition in which the plate engages the sidewall 1328, and a "bolt extended" condition in which the plate engagesthe side wall 1326.

In the embodiment shown, the second housing 1314 carries supplementaryholding means in the form of lip portions 1376a,1376b, which extendbeyond the side wall 1342 of the second housing, and, in the closedcondition of the housings, partially embrace respective end walls 1330and 1332 of the first housing. It will be understood that another lipportion may be provided on the second housing 1314 to obscure the gapbetween the housings in their closed condition.

In an alternative embodiment, the lip portions 1376a,b are not present,and each bolt acts as the supplementary holding means for the otherrespective bolt. Thus, the wedging action of the invention may beeffected by the two bolts 1320a,b moving in different angulardirections, as well as between one or other bolt and the respective lipportion.

FIG. 24 shows a fifteenth embodiment of first housing. In thisembodiment, a slide plate 1481 is slidably mounted between the sidewalls 1426 and 1428 of the housing 1412. Movement of the slide plate1481 upwards and downwards (as drawn) causes respective extending andretracting movement of the bolt 1420 and arms 1482a,1482b; the arms1482a,b providing the supplementary holding means in this embodiment. Asdrawn, the bolt 1420 is close to its fully extended condition, i.e. theslide plate 1481 is close to its upwards (as viewed) limit of movement.

The bolt 1420 is located to one side of the plate, the arms 1482a,b, arelocated to the other side of the plate. The sliding plate 1481 comprisestwo layers. In the front layer (i.e. the visible layer facing out of thepaper as drawn), there is provided a generally angled slot 1487, whichslot locates a peg 1486 carried by the bolt 1420. In the rear layer ofthe sliding plate 1481 there are two generally angled slots 1488a,1488b,which locate respective pegs 1489a,1489b carried by the arms 1482a,brespectively.

In the embodiment shown, the slots 1487,1488a,b are generally angled,but adjacent their ends they each have a portion substantially parallelwith the direction of movement of the plate 1481. In other embodiments,the form of the slots may be varied, as desired, e.g. in one otherembodiment, the slots are generally at a greater angle relative to thedirection of movement of the plate, so that the plate requires lessmovement to effect the desired movement of the bolt and arms. In anotherembodiment the sliding plate is a single layer, and the slots passthrough the plate; in such an embodiment, the positioning of the boltand arms will be chosen so that the respective slots do not intersect.

The embodiment of FIG. 24 is particularly suited to use for a slidableglazed door, such as a patio door. In such a panel, the frame sectionwithin which a bolt housing must be located is narrow, so that thehousing must also be narrow. It is thus desirable that the movement ofthe slide plate be substantially parallel with the side walls of thehousing.

The embodiments of FIGS. 23 and 24 are shown without key-controlledrelease means. Such embodiments may be useful e.g. for external doorswhere the housings are inaccessible from outside the door or building,so that key control is not required. However, in an alternativeembodiment similar to that of FIG. 23, key controlled release meanscould be fitted into the front wall of the first housing, to engage theblock 1322. In an alternative embodiment similar to that of FIG. 24, theslide plate could have an extension carrying a rack, which rack isengaged by a key-controlled pinion (similar to that for the embodimentof FIG. 8), so that rotation of the key caused the required movement ofthe slide plate.

In all of the embodiments shown the surface beyond which the bolt tipcan project is planar. However, in other embodiments the surface may beother than planar, i.e. part of the surface may be recessed, curved orotherwise angled relative to the remainder of the surface withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. In use, the surface beyondwhich the bolt tip can project will generally be substantially parallelto the edge of the panel to which the housing is secured.

I claim:
 1. A bolt assembly which includes(i) a first bolt housing, abolt having a bolt tip, a first bolt guide carried by the first bolthousing, the bolt having a longitudinal axis and being mounted forlongitudinal sliding movement in a direction constrained by and relativeto the first bolt guide, the first bolt housing having a surface beyondwhich the bolt tip can project while said bolt is constrained by saidfirst bolt guide, the first bolt guide being at an acute angle to saidsurface, (ii) a first bolt tip channel for receiving the first bolt tipalignable with the first bolt guide, the bolt tip being movable into andout of the first bolt tip channel only when said first bolt guide andfirst bolt tip channel are aligned, (iii) a second housing comprisingthe first bolt tip channel, (iv) supplementary holding means mounted tothe first bolt housing for restraining movement of the first bolt guiderelative to the first bolt tip channel parallel to said surface when thebolt tip is received in the first bolt tip channel, wherein saidsupplementary holding means is external to both the first bolt housingand the second housing when the assembly is in a closed condition andthe supplemental holding means being movable relative to the first bolthousing, said first bolt housing being adapted for fitment to a panel.2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the bolt has abutment meansfor halting the bolt, and retaining means for holding the boltcooperable with the abutment means provided in one of the first boltguide and first bolt tip channel.
 3. An assembly according to claim 2wherein at least one key controlled release for the bolt is mounted toone of the first and second housings.
 4. An assembly according to claim1 characterized in that the first and second housings areinterconnected, the assembly forming a padlock.
 5. An assembly accordingto claim 1 wherein the supplementary holding means comprise a tip of asecond bolt in a second bolt tip channel, the first housing havingsecond bolt guide for said second bolt, the second bolt guide being atan angle to the first guide.
 6. An assembly according to claim 1 furtherincluding mounting means adapted to secure at least one of said firstbolt housing and said second housing to a respective panel.
 7. Anassembly according to claim 1, said supplementary holding means beingmounted on the first bolt housing at an acute angle to said first boltguide, the supplementary holding means being one of a lip member and atleast one projecting member.
 8. An assembly according to claim 1 furtherincluding resilient biasing means located to urge the bolt tip towards aposition in which the said bolt tip projects outwardly from said surfaceof the first bolt housing.
 9. An assembly according to claim 1 whereinthe second housing is adapted for fitment to a respective panel.
 10. Anassembly according to claim 1, wherein said supplementary holding meansengages the second housing only when the bolt is in an extendedcondition.
 11. A bolt assembly comprising:(i) a bolt housing, a bolthaving a bolt tip, a bolt guide carried by the housing, the bolt havinga longitudinal axis and being mounted for longitudinal sliding movementin a direction constrained by and relative to the bolt guide, the bolthousing having a surface beyond which the bolt tip can project whilesaid bolt is constrained by said bolt guide, the bolt guide being at anacute angle to said surface, (ii) a bolt tip channel for receiving thebolt tip alignable with the bolt guide, the bolt tip being movable intoand out of the bolt tip channel only when said bolt guide and bolt tipchannel are aligned, (iii) supplementary holding means restrainingmovement of the bolt guide relative to the bolt tip channel when thebolt tip is received in the bolt tip channel, wherein the supplementaryholding means comprises a holding member carried by the bolt housing,the holding member being movable relative to the housing and the holdingmember having a holding surface at an angle to the longitudinal axis ofthe bolt.
 12. A bolt assembly according to claim 11, wherein the holdingmember has a longitudinal axis and is mounted for longitudinal slidingmovement relative to the bolt housing, the longitudinal axis of theholding member being at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the bolt.13. An assembly according to claim 11, wherein the bolt housing is afirst housing, while the bolt assembly further comprises a secondhousing, the second housing comprising the bolt tip channel, the secondhousing also having a restraining surface cooperable with the holdingsurface of the holding member.
 14. An assembly according to claim 11,wherein the bolt is a first bolt and the holding member is a secondbolt.